As translation gains momentum in the US market, where do African writers fit into this renaissance? The shift in American reading habits presents a real opportunity for African writers publishing in French, Arabic, Portuguese, and African indigenous languages like Yoruba, Igbo, Wolof, Swahili, Amharic, Shona, Fulfulde, and more.
But even with translation on the rise, African writers and languages still sit at the edges of the global industry. There's a lack of trained translators specializing in African languages, a financial reality that African publishers often lack resources to fund translations, and Western publishers often have a narrow idea of what “African literature” should look like.
Translation isn't just a technical process—it's a political act. If the publishing industry wants true diversity, it needs more investment in African-language translators, stronger partnerships between African publishers and global presses, and grants that prioritize African languages.
At Iskanchi, we've worked with incredible translators across our catalog. We believe in the power of African tongues to carry literature that is bold, experimental, and deeply rooted. Translation isn't an obstacle to us—it's an opportunity. Explore our catalog to discover our translated books and the powerful stories they carry.